Belgian politician found dead in canal after rape charge

April 2, 2015 6:51 PM

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - One of Belgium's best known politicians, a former party leader nicknamed "Steve Stunt" for his populist gestures, was found drowned in a canal on Thursday, hours after media reported he would stand trial for rape.

Robert "Steve" Stevaerts, 60, had been leader of the Flemish Socialist Party and a protege of Willy Claes, a veteran cabinet minister who was secretary-general of NATO for a year before he resigned in a bribery scandal in 1995.